After years of trying on every ocean, in numerous ships and on dozens of islands, I finally saw it. On Feb. 6 of this year, from the waterfront patio of the Fort Young Hotel in Dominica, I finally saw the fabled “green flash.” It was bright green, sort of twinkly, very surprising and very brief. I was elated.
I read with great interest the reader’s letter about Mali (July ’06, pg. 66). Our tour of Mali in February ’06 was considerably different, covering much the same venue but in a different fashion, with less driving and camping time. Our tour was with a group of 29 put together by Travel Dynamics (132 East 70th St., New York, NY 10021; 800/257-5767, www.traveldynamicsinternational.com), which we booked through Rex Travel (Chicago, IL; 800/777-7739, www.rextravel.com).
by Paula Prindle, Orient, OH
Lobby/reception area of Grand Circle Travel’s River Harmony.
Between October ’03 and March ’06, my husband and I took five European river cruises. Although we are not experts, we are often asked our opinion of them. To be honest, we have to admit that WE LOVE THEM!
Choosing to cruise
My wife, Esta Lee, and I took a Miami-Manaus (Brazil)-Miami sailing aboard the Regatta of Oceania Cruises (Miami, FL; 800/531-5658), Nov. 27-Dec. 22, ’05. For an ocean-view cabin, the cost was roughly $4,000 each. It was our second cruise on the Regatta.
My husband, Stanley, and I traveled with Vantage Deluxe World Travel (90 Canal St., Boston, MA 02114; 888/982-6824) in April and May 2006.
Readers should know that Regent (formerly Radisson) Seven Seas Cruises is no longer planning to dock the Paul Gauguin regularly at Cook’s Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia.
I realized last year that I am becoming limited in what I can physically do, so I took a Mediterranean cruise primarily to places I had already been, just to see if cruising was easier. I carry a cane chair ($30-$34 from www.sportseat.com) and avoid all stairs and exertion. For any mobility-impaired travelers, I thought I would share what I learned.
Free air, shore excursions and much more!
With our two grandsons, Louis and Victor, ages 14 and 12, my wife, Monica, and I took a trip to Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, and Peru, particularly the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, in March ’05.
We joined a tour arranged by Alki Tours (6417-A Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136; 206/935-6848, www.alkitours.com) for $3,344 per person. This included all airfares, the cruise package, hotels (with breakfasts), most of the lunches and evening meals, and taxes.